Domestic Violence Awareness

Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and occurs when one partner in a relationship tries to dominate and control the other partner.  It can happen in same-sex or heterosexual partnerships.  No one (men or women) should live in fear of the person that they are in love with.

Abusers use tactics like guilt, fear or even intimidation to keep their partner 'under control'.  Abuse can be psychological or physical.  Either way, it's not acceptable and it's definitely not love. No one should be made to feel less than a person. 

6 Signs that you are in an abusive relationship:

1. If you have to walk on eggshells, constantly watching what you say and how you say it, in order to avoid an argument.
2. If your partner constantly belittles you in private or humiliates you in public to make you feel bad about yourself.
3. If you feel afraid of your partner.
4. If you feel like everything is your fault and you deserve to be hurt or punished.
5. If your partner threatens to commit suicide if you threaten to leave.
6. If your partner isolates you from your friends and family or you have to ask for permission to go anywhere.

Knowing is half the battle, so if you are in an abusive relationship, whether it be physical or psychological, start making steps to break free.  Or if you have a friend in an abusive relationship, talk to them in private to try to help them. If you see something, say something.  Break the cycle. Abuse is never okay. #besafe
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233

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